A space in your home and room in your heart, that’s the initial criteria to help support some of the 10,500 children in foster care across Victoria every year, according to Mackillop Family Services.
Danica and Ry Edwards live in Geelong, and after taking on their first foster child in May through MacKillop, Ms Edwards said the incredibly rewarding experience has brought them closer together and taught them so much.
“Who are we to say no to a child that needs a home? We happily took him in and he’s been nothing but a joy,” she said.
“When he came to us, he couldn’t count to three or write his name but now can count to 20 and identify every letter in the alphabet.”
Ms Edwards said that even teachers at his school can’t believe the change in him.
“Before he wouldn’t play with other children in the playground, and now he has a list of 10 friends” she said.
Without children of their own, Ms Edwards said the training and immense support provided by Mackillop Family Services was crucial.
“They go through everything, how we support the child and each other and not only the training but our case worker speaks to us multiple times a week and are so supportive,” she said.
Mackillop Family Services Victorian foster carer recruitment lead Michael Hoffman said there’s not one type of foster carer that fits the criteria and it’s as easy as picking up the phone to start the conversation, whether you’re a single adult, same-sex couple, couple with children or without.
Carers will be referred to a worker in their region, run through any reservations, their own experiences and if suitable, begin several months of training and accreditation.
“It can be really challenging but that’s why we provide a lot of comprehensive training and support to foster carers through a therapeutic lens” Mr Hoffman said.
“Staff are there to help 24-7, there’s lots of contact and lots of therapeutic consultation advice by our clinical experts.”
Mackillop Family Services source foster carers within communities children are already in and with four different kinds of care, there’s options for carers that might only be able to commit to a weekend here and there or long term care up to months or even years.
“When volunteers join us as accredited foster carers, they become not only part of our team, but also part of a dynamic, trauma-informed, expert and empathetic network of other carers.”
For more information about becoming a volunteer foster carer, visit: www.mackillop.org.au
